The MS in Computer Science is one of the two or three most-searched programs at the University of Central Missouri among international applicants, and for a specific reason: it is STEM-designated, published admission criteria are genuinely transparent, and UCM's overall cost of attendance sits well below most US master's programs with comparable STEM-OPT value. For applicants comparing low-cost, high-OPT-value US master's options, UCM Computer Science is one of the more thoroughly documented, criteria-based programs to plan an application around.
This article covers what it takes to get into UCM's MS in Computer Science: acceptance rate, cost, requirements, English-test rules, and career outcomes.
Acceptance Rate
UCM does not publish a program-specific acceptance rate for the MS in Computer Science, and no reliable third-party source with a program-level figure was found in this research pass. What UCM does publish, directly on its Computer Science graduate program page, functions as its de facto admissions bar:
- Minimum undergraduate GPA: 2.8
- GRE: a combined Verbal + Quantitative score of at least 291 is generally required; applicants with an exceptionally strong undergraduate record may be considered with a lower GRE score
- Academic background: an undergraduate degree in computer science or a closely related field; applicants from other backgrounds are also considered if they have completed at least one programming course and one data structures course with a grade of B or better
- Provisional admission is available for applicants who fall short of one of the above criteria
Bottom line: rather than a percentage-based acceptance rate, UCM effectively tells you its admissions formula directly. Meeting the 2.8 GPA and 291 GRE thresholds, with a relevant technical background, is a strong predictor of admission; falling short on one factor doesn't automatically mean rejection, given the provisional-admission option.
Fees and Cost of Attendance
UCM charges graduate tuition on a per-credit-hour basis. Based on UCM's own published rate schedule and aggregator sources citing it:
| Cost item | Amount (USD, estimate) |
|---|---|
| Tuition per credit hour (international graduate) | ~$733 |
| Typical MS in Computer Science program length | 30 credit hours (per UCM's published program requirements) |
| Estimated total tuition for the full degree | ~$22,000 (30 credits x ~$733/credit; excludes mandatory, technology, and program-specific fees, which UCM notes are charged separately) |
| Estimated annual living expenses | ~$12,500-15,000/year (based on UCM's own published undergraduate cost estimates as a rough proxy; UCM does not publish a graduate-specific living-cost figure) |
Because tuition is charged per credit, your actual annual cost depends on how many credits you take per semester; a full-time graduate pace (9 credits/semester) would put annual tuition in the rough $13,000-14,000/year range before fees. Confirm your exact cost using UCM's own international student cost calculator, since per-credit rates and mandatory fees can change between academic years. UCM's total program cost for the MS in Computer Science, tuition alone, is meaningfully lower than most comparable STEM master's programs in the US, which is central to its appeal.
Admission Requirements
- Completed graduate application through UCM's international admissions portal
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.8
- GRE with a combined Verbal + Quantitative score of at least 291 (submitted directly by ETS; UCM's institution code is 6090, program code 0402)
- An undergraduate degree in computer science or a closely related discipline, or, for applicants from other backgrounds, completion of at least one programming course and one data structures course with a grade of B or better
- Evidence of English proficiency (unless exempt; see below)
- Provisional admission available for applicants who fall short of one of the above minimums
UCM's program page notes that applicants with an especially strong undergraduate academic record may be considered with a GRE score below the standard 291 threshold, so a genuinely strong transcript can partially offset a lower GRE result.
How to Get Into UCM's Computer Science Program
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Treat the 2.8 GPA and 291 GRE figures as the real bar, not a soft suggestion. UCM publishes these numbers directly, which is unusually specific for a US graduate program; applicants who clear both comfortably remove most of the uncertainty from their application.
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If you're coming from a non-CS background, document your programming and data structures coursework explicitly. UCM's stated policy allows admission for non-CS graduates who completed a programming course and a data structures course with a B or better, so make sure these courses and grades are clearly identifiable on your transcript or in a supporting document.
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If your GRE score is below 291, lean on a strong undergraduate GPA and transcript to make your case, since UCM explicitly allows for GRE flexibility when the academic record is exceptionally strong.
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Understand the provisional admission option before assuming a rejection is final. If you fall short of one criterion (GPA, GRE, or coursework background), ask directly whether provisional admission is available for your profile rather than assuming you're ineligible.
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Submit official GRE scores directly through ETS using UCM's correct institution and program codes (institution code 6090, program code 0402) well ahead of your application deadline, since GRE score delivery can take time to process.
English Proficiency Requirement (IELTS/TOEFL)
UCM's graduate-level English proficiency policy applies to Computer Science applicants:
- IELTS Academic: minimum 6.0
- TOEFL iBT: minimum 79
- Duolingo English Test: minimum 120
UCM also accepts the Oxford ELLT as an alternative; confirm the current accepted score directly with UCM's international admissions office, since a specific Oxford ELLT threshold was not clearly published in the sources reviewed for this guide.
For the full breakdown of UCM's testing policy at both the undergraduate and graduate level, see the UCM university guide.
Career Outcomes
UCM does not publish outcomes broken out specifically for the MS in Computer Science, but the university's broader graduate outcomes data and its documented STEM-OPT track record are relevant proxies:
- Graduate student full-time employment rate (university-wide): approximately 96.6%, per UCM's own Career and Life Design Center reporting
- UCM does not publish a Computer-Science-specific average starting salary in the pages reviewed for this guide; confirm current figures directly with the Career and Life Design Center (careers@ucmo.edu)
- STEM OPT: UCM's MS in Computer Science is STEM-designated, qualifying graduates for the 24-month STEM OPT extension on top of the standard 12-month OPT period, for up to three years of total US work authorization
- UCM has previously ranked around #54 nationally among US institutions for STEM OPT authorizations by active SEVIS records (2022 data), a specific, verifiable indicator of how significant this pathway is for UCM's Computer Science and related STEM graduates specifically
Popular destination fields for UCM Computer Science graduates, per aggregator and program-popularity data reviewed for this guide, include software development, data-related roles, and cybersecurity-adjacent positions, reflecting the department's overlap with UCM's Cybersecurity and Information Assurance program.
FAQ
Does UCM publish a separate acceptance rate for the MS in Computer Science? No. UCM does not release a program-level acceptance rate. Instead, it publishes explicit admission criteria: a 2.8 minimum GPA and a GRE combined score of at least 291, with provisional admission available for applicants who fall short of one criterion.
Is the GRE required for UCM's MS in Computer Science? Yes, generally, with a combined Verbal + Quantitative minimum of 291. Applicants with an exceptionally strong undergraduate record may be considered with a lower score.
Can I apply without a Computer Science undergraduate degree? Yes, if you've completed at least one programming course and one data structures course with a grade of B or better, per UCM's own published policy.
What IELTS or TOEFL score do I need for UCM Computer Science? The graduate minimum is IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 79. Duolingo (120) is also accepted, along with the Oxford ELLT (confirm current threshold directly with UCM).
How much does UCM's MS in Computer Science cost? Tuition runs on a per-credit basis at approximately $733/credit for international graduate students; the 30-credit MS program totals roughly $22,000 in tuition alone, excluding mandatory fees, which is notably lower than most comparable US STEM master's programs.
Is UCM's Computer Science degree STEM-OPT eligible? Yes. It is STEM-designated, qualifying international graduates for the 24-month STEM OPT extension in addition to the standard 12-month OPT period, and UCM has a strong documented track record on STEM OPT volume nationally.